I am pleased to announce that the Grand Lodge Fraternal Committee has selected the theme, “What Does Patriotism Mean To Me?” for the 2024-2025 Grand Lodge Americanism Essay Contest. The contest starts with the Local Lodges, progresses through District and State levels, and ends with the naming of our National Winners at the Grand Lodge Session in Kansas City, Missouri in July 2025. This contest gives students in four separate grade levels, grades 5-8, the opportunity to thoughtfully, evaluate and express their views on the selected annual theme. 

Nationally, first-place, second-place and third-place authors in each division will receive monetary awards of $1,000, $500, and $250 respectfully. Many Lodges, Districts and State Associations also provide various forms of recognition to their respective winners, and the Fraternal Committee appreciates and encourages their extraordinary efforts in support of the contest. 

Locally the Brainerd Elks #615 have dedicated $100 for first-place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place from the essays received from our central lakes area schools. The Central District Elks have an additional award for those who place in the top three of each division set at $100.

The Minnesota Elks Association chooses a first through third place for each grade level with awards of $300, $200 and $100 respectively. The top essays from Minnesota will then go on to compete at the Grand Lodge, national level.

Contest materials including the “annual contest theme” are published online on May 1.  Lodges are encouraged to communicate with school officials in a timely fashion to facilitate annual curriculum planning. Contest materials and a fillable Certificate of Participation for Lodge completion are located at: https://www.elks.org/grandlodge/fraternal/downloads.cfm. 

This contest is vitally important to Elks as it promotes Americanism in our local communities.  It encourages 10-13 year old students to thoughtfully consider American values and appreciate the blessings and responsibilities of citizenship.